Metal finishing Q&As since 1989

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Recovery of silver from photographic solutions using borax flux

I am tasked with the responsibility of recovering silver from photographic solutions such as fixer solution using a flux of borax [affil links], Sodium Nitrate [affil links] and sodium carbonate / washing soda [affil links]. My problem is, I don't know how to go about it. Please help me with this problem.

Michael Danquah
- Accra, Ghana

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Hi, Michael! If you already know that you need a flux of borax, sodium nitrate, and sodium carbonate, somebody there knows something. So could you please tell us what you do know, what kind of operation you work at, and why you want to do this in-house so people can start their answer at the end of what you know, not have to write a book covering everything all the way back at the beginning. Thanks!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
 

i want to know the complete details of recovering the silver from fixer by chemicals.

inder mirchandani
student - bhopal, mp, India
2006

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Hi, Inder. You can look at letter 15559 for a bunch of Q&A's on the subject. But it's unrealistic to ask for "the complete details" on a subject that fills entire books. You may want to keep you eye out for a copy of Kodak's 29-page booklet "Recovering Silver from Photographic Materials" for a good start. Best of luck!

Ted Mooney, P.E.
Striving to live Aloha
finishing.com - Pine Beach, New Jersey
2006